So, you know, God deals with us as individuals. The spread of the Gospel is more important. is it a sin to get drunk? Use your judgment and maybe talk to your priest to hear their opinion. What is the relationship between Catholics and alcohol? To be morally mature one must distinguish between State laws that exist because they protect the natural law, and State laws that exist only to protect the common good. As far as I know, the only day of the year that you're not supposed to drink alcohol is Good Friday, but even . you had no idea the punch at the party was strong), thats a venial sin. The reality is there isnt a single verse in the Bible that forbids drinking in moderation. Please consider supporting RCSpirituality with a donation today. What does the Bible say about drinking? If alcohol is not controlled in your country, then feel free to drink. It also lends itself to a host of other sins, notably sexual ones by weakening our inhibitions. He gave them to us as a gift that gladdens human hearts. We regard drunkenness as a sin. In fact, we can see how relevant wine is even in the bible as in John 2:1-12 this is where Jesus performs his first miracle involving turning water into wine at the wedding at Cana. The Bible also talks about a strong drink made with fermented barley, aka beer. Also, check out our posts on The Sacrament of Reconciliation. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affliliate links, meaning I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links. If your drinking hinders someone coming to know Jesus than we should abstain. Drunkenness, however, was always considered sinful based upon the clear biblical teaching about it. It is simply warning against addiction and drunkenness. In fact, Paul tells Timothy, Drink a little wine for your stomachs sake. I think Timothy was nervous and shy, and hed get, like, his stomach would get sick, and so Paul said Have a few glasses of wine and relax.. If this is the case, then its safe to say that alcohol is not inherently immoral. Its up to you to make the judgment. Lets hear from you! Not only has it not been condemned, but beer and wine have played a role in church tradition. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. And many of us drink without knowing our limits. If ever in doubt about whether you crossed the line, then just go to confession and put it behind you and resolve not to cross the line again. Even though these actions were done out of your own free will because of your drunkenness, you are still held responsible for them, as you chose to be in the state of intoxication deliberately. What does the Bible say about drinking alcohol / wine? Is it a sin for We even have patron saints of beer, wine, hangovers, and alcoholics (St. Augustine, St. Urban, St. Bibiana, and St. Monica respectively). We should not be made to feel that drinking is a sin ( 1 Corinthians 10:30 ), although, at times, it may be inappropriate ( 1 . What Miracles Did Pope John Paul II Perform? In some states like Texas its perfectly legal to drink with parental supervision. This can be in situations wherein your primary intention for drinking isnt for relaxation, or socialization but for intoxication. Heres Ephesians 5:18. To make things very concrete, drunkenness has set in when you cannot (or should not) drive a car. Widespread and more or less universal custom takes on the authority of law. All rights reserved. God gave us a community to help us strive for holiness. Where To Donate Catholic Religious Items. Excessive drinking, defined as "binge drinking" or. Often, their lives begin to revolve around a party culture: Which party should we go to? Or, even on an ordinary day in the middle of the week: What are we drinking tonight?. What would you tell religious people about alcohol consumption Youll know when you are in danger of sinning. Theres simply nothing in the Bible that says all drinking is a sin. The lack of a law being enforced does not somehow make it right. Even in light of the many biblical warnings regarding the abuse of alcohol, Christians have the liberty to enjoy this gift from God within the boundaries of Gods moral law. If you enjoy alcohol, try fasting from it for a time. Sometimes evangelization is the reputed reason why some students want to engage in and permit (and even encourage) underage drinking. Sola Media Group is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Federal ID # 27-0565982. Jesus said, If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away (Matthew 5:30). And lets not forget the focus of Jesus first miracle at Cana (see John 2:1-11). God even commands the Israelites to go buy beer and celebrate before the Lord (Deuteronomy 14:26). To legalistically use the State to reinforce sin does not help matters. For instance Ecclesiastes 9:7. That it is always a sin to break a law of the State is believed by the majority of Catholics because, as the late Cardinal George once said, American Catholics are Puritans who go to Mass on Sunday. In the moral realm Americans tend to adopt toward State law a puritanical thinking sometimes mixed with small amounts Jansenism. Just log in or create your free account. Another possible explanation for the apparent acceptability of alcohol consumption in the Bible is that the wine back then most likely contained lower levels of alcohol and was therefore less intoxicating. There are certain cultures and countries where drinking would prohibit the spread of the Gospel. Is it only a near occasion of sin? Some people can take several bottles of beer and they are fine. Jesus drank wine during his time on earth. First things first: Catholics have long considered drunkenness a mortal sin; St. Paul refers to it as a sin that excludes one from the kingdom of God (see Galatians 5:21 ). Gluttony can also be a sin. To see sin as simply breaking a law is not much better. But is it a sin? In the seminary, I came across a book of no small thickness explaining how Jesus did not use fermented wine at table. Especially as we continue to face a State that is becoming more draconian in its laws. Rather, it is on the list of sins because it is contrary to our dignity and damaging to the constructive use of our freedom that is essential to our friendship with God. Learn how your comment data is processed. This is absurd. Simply put, you arent your true self when drunk. Cheers! What does the Bible say about alcohol? It helps strengthen our control over our bodily desires and avoid unhealthy attachment to the material world. What if the Sate forbid having more than two children (China), would it be a sin to get pregnant with the third? Ive drank too much in my life, but Ive only been drunk once in my life, and that was when I had heard that you had to try Sangria, its really good. In fact, about once a month we get an email from somebody saying that they either disapprove of us drinking on the show or how alcohol is of the devil or something like that. Is Being Drunk a Mortal Sin? Teaching from Paul, Augustine, and Thomas For example, dont drink when hanging out with a friend who struggles with alcohol. From a moral perspective, alcohol is often treated with polarity. The ideal is that you dont want to get to the point where you feel overly giddy or lose coordination of your limbs, etc. So, why do so many Christians push for the abstinence of drinking when its not in the Bible? Some people point out that wine drinking combated the problem of poor water quality in biblical times as the ingredients in wine killed harmful microorganisms present in raw water. That same person might do well to skip the second or third beer if he has to drive a car afterward. However, thats not what the Bible is saying. Then they go on to define drunkenness as setting in only when one blacks out. Ive heard serious Catholics nod their heads in agreement that drunkenness is a mortal sin. Heres a few of the most commonly used Bible verses about alcohol: Ephesians 5:18, Numbers 28:7-10, Proverbs 20:1, Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Corinthians 6:10, 1 Timothy 5:23, Proverbs 23:20-21, Romans 14:21, Isaiah 5:22, Leviticus 10:9, Ecclesiastes 9:7, 1 Timothy 3:8, Proverbs 31:6-7, Deuteronomy 7:13, 11:14, The above list is far from exhaustive, but it gives us a solid picture of alcohol in the Bible. And this, according to St. Peter, isnt the true mark of a Christian: For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to doliving in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. 1 Peter 4:3. To use the argument that the State says it is illegal and thus a sin may be easier and more effective, but it does in fact stunt a students moral growth. We should also consider how it effects those around us. Here's What Baptists Believe about Drinking Alcohol Its absolutely acceptable and normal. If this is the case, then it's safe to say that alcohol is not inherently immoral. Theres always something left for us to turn over to the Lord; and as I said, for many college students, underage drinking is the last thing to go. The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Psalms 104 says that wine gladdens the heart of main. He believes it is more important than ever before to help people find a genuine faith. How would you answer the question, what does the Bible say about alcohol? What does the Bible say? In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. Part of the reason people drink alcohol is for the relaxing effects. or altar wine thats specifically intended for Eucharistic celebrations. Instead, let it bring you together with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. This is true both in the Old and New Testament. Is Drinking Alcohol a Sin? | Bible Questions - JW.ORG We should strive for unity rather then create division. If I eat too much and I stuff myself like a pig, then I could say Oh my goodness, I just sinned through the sin of gluttony, and then the near occasion of that. They drank alcohol during many social functions, including church events like ordinations. Feeling the effects of alcohol is not the same as outright drunkenness. Is Drinking A Sin? (what the Bible REALLY says) - Rethink It can be a good and enjoyable thing. Alcoholic drinks have been around since 5400BC, which means the availability of fermented beverages was around even before Jesus arrived. Ive heard serious Catholics nod their heads in agreement that drunkenness is a mortal sin. However, that doesn't mean that Catholics can't drink at all. And then there is the Proverb: "Wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler; whoever goes astray by them is not wise" (Prov 21:1). Theres nothing wrong with sports, but if someone is addicted to sports and thats all they care about, and they know that if they go to a ballgame that theyre gonna forget about God, theyre gonna go crazy, and thats all theyre gonna think about for the next week, then I think that even sports could become a near occasion for sin. Copyright 2023 Core Christianity. But drinking was such a part of peoples everyday life back then. The short answer is, if you are trying to get drunk on purpose, then the answer is basically "yes." That is a sin, and a grave (mortal) one. Anyone who aspires to do the same as us, and is a confirmed Catholic is welcome to join us! This means that the drinker no longer has the freedom necessary to deliberate responsibly about what he should do or not do. Can Catholics drink alcohol? - Get Fed As Catholics, we are required to respect the civil governing authority assuming that they are working for the common good and that the law is not unjust. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is very concise on this point, and simply says, The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. The biggest reason intoxication/drunkenness is considered sinful is because it makes it easier to commit other sins. We meet every second Saturday of the month at Emmanuel Catholic Church in Delray Beach, Florida. Lets look at a traffic example. As I said, underage drinking cultivates a culture of lukewarmness, a sapping of spiritual zealits a sort of gateway to the party culture described above. The Bible says that we should consider how our actions effect those around us (Romans 14, 1 Corinthians 8). He lives with his wife Sarah and their four children in Atchison, Kansas. If you become dependent on alcohol, seek help. And I guess the second part: if not, is it a sin to become intoxicated? There are numerous Bible verses that extol alcohol and ones that give dire warnings regarding its intake. Sometimes being in this state, may lead you to do actions that are sinful, such as violence, fornication, or saying nonsense hurtful words to others. Here are a few of them: Romans 13:13, Galatians 5:19-21, and Ephesians 5:18. Lets take an absurd case. Theres also no verse that classifies exactly how many drinks you can have and exactly what drunk is. I personally have experienced both of these situations. There are clearly more verses in the Bible warning about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption than there are verses extolling its virtues. There are all kinds of neutral grounds where one can evangelize (e.g., sports, intramurals, meals, etc.). ). Jesus drank wine and was falsely accused of being a drunkard (Matthew 11:19). Some people claim drinking is a sin because it hurts your testimony. Drinking, in itself, is not necessarily a sin. Even in during Mass, the priests use wine to symbolize the blood of Christ. But for the most part drinking in moderation will not hurt your witness in western societies. Many of todays varieties use modern fermentation methods that produce higher levels of alcohol than could ever have been achieved in biblical times. There are lots of bible verses about drinking and drunkenness. Please log in again. Does giving a meaningless gift give you more or less joy than giving a meaningful gift? 5:8). Thus, it is possible to freely give away the gift of our freedom by abusing alcohol. Fasting means taking a break from it for a time to grow closer to God. The Litany of Humility: What Is It and Where Did It. God created it for joyful celebration, as seen repeatedly in the Bible1. But there are a few things we can know about alcohol in the Bible. However, we do advise that it is a must for you to always follow the legal drinking age. However, it is well worth it. Drinking should be a time of joyful celebration and fellowship! that are put in place for our protection in Gods providence (Rom. 3). why is underage drinking a sin? : r/Catholicism We hope we were able to answer your question, is it a sin to get drunk? While others see drinking as a reprehensible activity that can corrupt the soul. With all good things, we must practice moderation. Of course that will depend on where you live, thats not universally true. Some religious groups view alcohol as a gift from God, one that allows the spirit to enter the body. We know this from what the Bible says and from historians who have studied alcohol during this time period. There are some topics that the Bible never gives a straight answer. and Is Manifesting a Sin? Some people think that its a necessary evil and that celebrations arent complete without alcohol. Never drink because you need it, for this is rational drinking, and the way to death and hell. As the State divorces itself more and more from the natural law we will want to increase our young peoples ability to detach from the State as a moral gate keeper while still giving the State its rightful place to regulate the common good. Is drinking a sin catholic - St. Anthony's Catholic Church St. Paul is very serious here: Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, There are all kinds of neutral grounds where one can evangelize (e.g., sports, intramurals, meals, etc.). Then they go on to define drunkenness as setting in only when one blacks out. So moderate consumption of alcohol is not a sin. 13230 Evening Creek Dr S Ste 220-222 | San Diego, CA 92128. Many will respond by pointing to the prevalence of mild speeding, say, going five miles per hour over the speed limit. Contact us toll-free at: (833) 843-2673. It had no part to play in it, I drank wine before I was Catholic. 10:31). Frankly, a serious Catholic should never need a designated driver. Drinking alcohol becomes a sin when you abuse it to the point that you are no longer yourself, and is incapable of making conscious decisions. Your decision-making and critical thinking abilities are significantly impaired. In the New Testament, Jesus not only turned water into wine. Catechism 101: Is it a Sin to Drink Alcohol? Is it a Sin to Get Drunk? Why? On its face, perhaps there is an air of plausibility here. Please read our PRIVACY POLICY. The abuse of alcohol can cause damage, so many advocate to just avoid it altogether. The Pilgrims brought 7,500 gallons of alcohol on their journey across the Atlantic. Nor will we be deserving to inherit Gods kingdom. Now there is some truth in that. There are people in our life that we have the opportunity to positively influence. A person commits sin when they drink so much that it significantly impairs their judgement. One Bible verse that clearly supports the intake of alcohol is the apostle Paul's admonition to Timothy to drink wine for health reasons: No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. Of course, the Bible strongly warns against the overconsumption of beer. 11:1819). And there were many monks that brewed their own beer. Theres no standard marker that signifies when youve crossed over into the sin of drunkenness. In fact, alcohol is inherently good. The blood alcohol limit established by law is much lower than actual gravely sinful intoxication, but it is the point at which some reflexes may be so impaired as to make driving unsafe. Husband. Neither the Bible nor the Catholic Church prohibit the partaking of alcohol. The Bible is clear that alcohol can be abused and that is a sin. In drunkenness, we willingly defile our rational nature. Catholics & Bible is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Caller: Yes, and I guess the one last thing is: if you are an addict and have a history of problems with that, to even just have one or two, does that matter? These are verses you will likely never hear preached on in church. To the extent that the answer is noto the extent that I insist on underage drinking just because I want toto that extent perhaps my own conversion has not yet fully taken hold. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivatebringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts. , The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. , For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to doliving in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.. Would Jesus drink a beer with me? monks have brewed beer to support their monasteries, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration FARS data. For more on this topic, see The Bible Does Not Forbid Alcohol.. For the sake of the common good we drive on the right side of the road, it is illegal to drive on the left. 10:9; Isa. 17K views, 519 likes, 455 loves, 3.7K comments, 232 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from EWTN: Starting at 8 a.m. Or if you're an alcoholic, going to the bar and getting a drink and saying "I'll just have one" is a very dangerous thing and could be a near occasion for sin, or be a sin, especially if you play it out. Steve Ray discusses on Catholic Answers Live. Whats Missing from Most Responses to the Sex Abuse Crisis, How to Determine the Morality of an Action, Whats Wrong With Underage Drinking? Here, he instructs us to, . Steve Ray: Okay, just a short answer. If you want to read all the verses you can find them here: List Of Bible Verses About Alcohol. If on a lonely country road in the flat land of Illinois I drive on the wrong side of the road in order see over the left side of a bridge am I breaking the law? St. Thomas defines temperance as the disposition of the mind which binds the passions. Alcohol is simply a gift, not our end goal. What does the New Testament have to say about all of this? as the disposition of the mind which binds the passions. But, alcohol also has a second effect on us. The Bible holds drinking in tension. Paul told Timothy, Stop drinking only water and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illness (1 Timothy 5:23). That is, Jesus was not with sinners when they were sinning (or even came close to it). The alcohol in the Bible did not have a lower alcohol content. It can . Few topics have been debated in Christian circles as much as drinking alcohol.